Timothy Bradley takes WBC belt after accidental head butt

Although the contest had been much anticipated by boxing fans, it never exploded into life the way many had hoped.

Alexander attempted to control the contest from a distance, circling Bradley, 27-0 (11 KOs), and firing fast jabs and southpaw left hands.

A Bradley right rocked Alexander in the third round, as did several others in the ninth. Bradley's flurries of hard punches saw him build a lead on all three judges' scorecards when the 10th round began.

The newly unified champion was full of praise for his beaten opponent.

"Devon Alexander is a great fighter," said Bradley. "I tip my hat to him. He's going to be a world champion in the future."